paul@tillr.io @paulormiston

Q & APaul Romer-Ormiston - Co-Founder of tillr.io, Founder of Lean Mammoth

When is a startup not a startup?

#MogulCon

Paul Romer-OrmistonCo-Founder of tillr.io, Founder of Lean Mammoth

StartupOr start-up

(stahrt-uhp)

noun1. the act or fact of starting something; a setting in motion.2. a new business venture, or a new commercial or industrial project:

a small, 5-month-old Internet startup.

adjective 3. of or relating to the beginning of such a venture or project, especially to an investment made to initiate it:

high start-up costs for construction of a new facility.

@paulormiston #MogulCon

My ‘going solo’ storyLean Mammoth

What was I?

One personNo salaries, no office space, several roles

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One serviceCoaching delivered at the client site

No product

No brand100% reliant on personal reputation

It couldn’t be put it in a box, no fixed price

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Startup?

What did I become?

One personNo salaries, no office space, several roles

@paulormiston #MogulCon

One serviceCoaching delivered at the client site

No product

A brandRecognised, credible and desirable

It couldn’t be put it in a box, no fixed price

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Startup?

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Our leap of faithtillr

What were we?

Ten people£70k per month run rate, rented office, person per role

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No serviceNo customers, so no demand

No product

No brandNever heard of, no references

MVP 80% build complete, but nothing Live

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Startup?

What did we become?

Four people£35k per month run rate, co-working space, mixed roles

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One serviceDemand-driven professional service at fixed day rate

One product

A brandRecognised, credible and desirable

Defined value proposition, fixed pricing model

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Startup?

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Banana or sausage?Same but different

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“Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles

without disaster.”

- Sun Tzu

Important metrics

Investment

Users Staff

Revenue

@paulormiston #MogulCon

@paulormiston #MogulCon

Lean Mammoth in reality

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Building a future

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Know your customer

Do not assume everyone loves startups as much as you do….

….they don’t!

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The law of 5

In your first year, always plan 5 times ahead of the length you

have already been running.

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Be Bold

Be prepared to commit to a plan which changes what you look

like today.

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Feel the burn

React positively to changes in your situation, but only once it

already hurts.

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Ask Me Anything

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